Hello All: Very privileged to be here, my first post. I had a chance to pick up a Model 10 in a trade and wondered if anyone knew the approximate age? Didn't know if this was a detective model (sure looks it) The serial number is C687XX.

I took it to our outdoor range and LOVED the way it felt, no plus P rounds as a precaution. Thanks in advance.

PS Remember to pray for our Military & Their Families.

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The SN you gave put it in the range of 1963 or 1964, I would say 1963. Nice one.

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond....What are your thoughts on paying the 35.00 or so to Smith and Wesson for the papers?

No, the SN he lists puts the gun in 1948-1949. It is only 5 digits afer the prefix.

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Gunsmithing since 1961

Yes, 1949. In 1948 the company transitioned from the prewar long-action design of the .38 M&P to the new postwar short-action design that featured a faster lock time. The hammer profile you see on your gun is that of the speed hammer, as the company called it on the boxes that these guns shipped in. Users also refer to this design as the sculpted hammer or fish hook hammer, though that last term is frowned upon in some quarters.

That gun is a winner. There are fewer nickel guns from this era than blued ones, and fewer round-butt guns than square ones. This is a very nice example of its kind.

And welcome to the forum. That's an attention-grabbing way to introduce yourself.

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David Wilson

You are correct. My mistake. My eyes are just not that good any more. I apologize for the confusion.

A letter of authenticity is $50 these days. I'm not sure it's worth it for most postwar revolvers. What your money buys you is two or three paragraphs about the history of the model your gun represents, then a final paragraph that tells you the date the gun was shipped, the recipient (usually a hardware store or regional distributor, but sometimes an individual or military/LE agency), and the configuration of the weapon as reflected in the shipping orders. There are occasional surprises -- for example, a gun that is now nickeled may have had a blue finish when it left the factory.

I would never dissuade someone from ordering a letter if date and destination details are of interest. I just don't want you to expect more info than the records can provide.

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David Wilson

Welcome aboard and that is one fine S&W to start with. You will be buying more...trust me!!

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Have guns...will shoot'em.

Just looking thru my posts and wanted to again thank you for your time...

On my list I have C691xx which shipped in 8/49.

Hey DWalt, would love to see a photo of your 1949, just surfing back in for while and I don't have provledges to see your albim. Merry Christmas! Prov 3:27

dkrikac

Welcome back.

While it is very possible that your 2" M&P shipped in 1949, I show one at C63055 that shipped in May, 1949, but a 2" unit at C68754 didn't ship until May, 1950. And a 2” round butt at C69321 with nickel finish shipped in April, 1950. So, there is some wiggle room in terms of ship dates.

That said, your 2" M&P with nickel finish and round butt is extremely nice. I hope you are enjoying it as much as I would if it lived in my safe.

Incidentally, as you probably know by now, it is NOT a Model 10. Model numbers did not appear until 1958.

And letters now cost $100.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Thanks Friend...so what IS the Model Number?

BTW this is the ONE I open the safe and say " Let me show you my favorite" As a ex cop I wonder what old detective carried this? So thankful its in such good shape.

M&P Military and Police I guess?

It doesn't have one. Model numbers did not appear until 1958. Before that, they had names, not numbers. After 1957, they had both names and numbers.

Yours is a .38 Military & Police. After 1957, it was the .38 Military & Police Model 10.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Here are a couple of blue snub M&P's. The square butt, long throw action on the left was shipped in 1948. The round butt, short throw action, SN C56793, shipped on July 13, 1949...the day before I was born.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

Sweet, what pieces of history. The stories they could tell....

Elroy would like some reference photos as well. Is it safe to assume, after 12 years this post confirms these early nickel plate, round butt, 2 inch M&P snub nose are fairly rare ?? Please advise accordingly.

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